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Frequency: For Public or Politicians?

Wiranto and Harry Tanoe are not actors. But on February 1, they
played on a popular soap opera “Tukang Bubur Naik Haji”
(Porridge Seller Go Hajj) on RCTI. Since they are presidential
candidates from Hanura (People’s Conscience Party), this was not
their acting career, but political campaign. They refused it by
saying it was not a campaign.

Indonesia will hold the legislative election on April 9, and
presidential election on July 9, but various political messages on TV
has been getting more often since last year. From regular advertising
to quizes, talent show and even soap opera. Since presidential
candidates from 3 parties are also television owners, this condition
seems easy to understand. Facing election, independence of several
media in Indonesia may makes us worry.

Grab your remote and watch Global TV, RCTI, or MNC TV, you will find
Wiranto and Harry Tanoe (candidates from Hanura) almost everywhere.
Switch the channel to Metro TV, you will see Surya Paloh (candidate
from Nasdem Party) with his ambitious speeches on various events.
Next, on tvOne and ANTV, you will see Aburizal “Ical” Bakrie
(candidate from Golkar Party) in almost every single hour. Indonesian
Broadcasting Commission (KPI) said that Ical’s ads were shown on
tvOne and ANTV 430 times on October 2013 only.

Quoted by Tempo Magazine onJanuary 20, the popularity
of these parties are growing rapidly. Each Hanura and Nasdem party
now have above 6 percent of support. Quickly grab the position of
senior parties like PAN (National Mandate Party) and PKS (Prosperous
Justice Party). Golkar is also senior, and by the help of intense
ads, the popularity is still between 15 to 20 percent.

KPI has realized that earlier. That is why KPI summoned and
reprimaned these 6 partisan TV stations last year. But these
televisions seemed do not care about it. Then a civil movement called
Frequency Belongs to the Public (FMP) begun last January. By bringing
a petition signed by 3.500 people, the movement forced KPI to give
more serious sanction to partisan televisions. KPI claimed that they
could not move further because there was not yet any regulation about
political campaign ads. The similar reason was used by 6 televisions.
TV argued that only General Election Commission (KPU) and Election
Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) have the authority about campaign, not
KPI. However, 7 commissioners of KPI agreed to fullfil the petition.

KPI commisioner Danang Sangga Buwana wrote on Koran Tempo, on
February 3. He said that in facing
political ads, KPI will take a progressive decision. Danang wrote
that KPI is now making a policy to forbid all political messages on
TV till the official campaign period began. KPI’s broadcasting
regulation about protecting public interest, he wrote, is almost
final. I appreciate this positive response, keep up the good work.

I cannot imagine if KPI just doing nothing. After we see Wiranto and
Harry Tanoe played in a “Tukang Bubur Naik Haji”, maybe
they will take several actors and actress from RCTI to be a
legislator candidates from Hanura Party? Like Nikita Willy maybe?

Politicians may have TV stations but the frequency belongs to the
public forever. Public deserves quality, neutral information from TV,
whoever the owner is. So, our dearly commissioners of KPI, we are
counting on you. The decision is all yours and public is ready to
support you. By the way, have you watched a movie “Di Balik
Frekuensi” (Behind the Frequency) by Ucu Agustin?***

Really? Ah you are too kind to me, Isti haha I know that you are better than me in writing in English

So do I, Isti. This article actually started from my concern on the frequency, not the election haha :p

The film is, unfortunately, distributed only for AJI (Aliansi Jurnalis Independen) or in special discussions. Everybody can ask @ucuagustin to hold that kind of discussion and watch the movie there. Believe me, you will hate your TV after you watch it! :D